The Texas A&M-Kingsville football team opened its preseason practices earlier this month ready to bounce back after a frustrating 4-7 with a coaching staff that went through some changes, including at defensive coordinator.

The Javelinas will open the season on Aug. 30 against defending NCAA Division II champion and Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Commerice, offering them a chance to start the season with a bang.

QUARTERBACK BATTLE

Sophomore Cade Dyal out of Kerrville Tivy started most of the 2017 season, throwing for 2,053 yards and 19 touchdowns, and is battling with redshirt sophomore Casey Rosselini (Cy-Falls) and transfer Koy Detmer Jr. (Somerset) from BYU.

Detmer is the son of the former NFL quarterback of the same name and nephew of Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer.

“Between Cade, Koy and Casey, all three of them are getting equal reps so far. It is hard. None of the three have separated themselves,” A&M-Kingsville head coach Daren Wilkinson said. “That is not a bad thing. All three are very competitive and are doing very well. It is making it a hard decision on us coaches. We’re going to have to make a decision pretty soon.

“They all are playing very well, so I know we will be better at the quarterback position this year.”

DEFENSIVE CHANGES

Wilkinson brought back former assistant Haskel Buff, who had a seven-year stint with the Javelinas between 2000-2006 to take over as defensive coordinator.

Buff has four defensive starters to work with including defensive end Brandon Jones, who was named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 when A&M-Kingsville went 9-3.

“Haskel Buff is bringing in a new system, but more importantly a new mentality on that side of the ball,” Wilkinson said. “A lot more accountability, a lot more effort and running to the ball. Kevin May, who has been here, has taken some more responsibility with special teams.

“We brought in Scott Brown, a good friend of mine, who I coached with at Colorado State, his last job was the defensive line for the 49ers in the NFL. He is bringing a lot of know-how to the defensive line and the whole defense in general.”

Buff and Brown are one of six new coaches on the staff including Luke Walters, Beau Burleson, Ross Fiegener and Eddie Moten.

A DIFFERENT MINDSET

Wilkinson and Jones each agreed that the offseason following a 4-7 campaign was different than a year ago when the Javelinas were coming off a nine-win season.

“The biggest difference from this year to last year is that our team came in in shape,” Wilkinson said. “Last year we had to spend the first two weeks getting our guys in practice shape before we could be productive in practice. So you’re two weeks behind. These guys took the challenges we gave them in the spring semester to heart. They needed to maintain what they built in the spring, through the summer.”

Wilkinson said last year’s team was talented but “believed their press clippings” too much and got away from the basics of hard work and effort.

“I don’t know if we are as talented as we were last year, but I know we are going to be a better team because our guys have bought in to working hard and doing things the right way,” Wilkinson said.

Jomes said guys were more “focused and in shape” during the offseason.

“Guys want to be better than last year,” Jones said. “Coach Buff came in and brought a lot of energy to defense and really got us going so we can be successful this year.”

OPPORTUNITY AHEAD

The Javelinas not only open the regular season with an LSC game, but it will be on the road against the preseason No. 1-ranked team and defending national champions, Texas A&M-Commerce.

A&M-Kingsville is embracing the challenge and see the game as an opportunity.

“Every time you get on the field it is an opportunity,” Wilkinson said. “You get a chance to have your first game of the season be against the defending national champion, who is No. 1 in the country … if we can’t get focused and ready for that game, I don’t think we can get focused for any game.”